IT’S OFFICIAL, Maidenhead Rugby Club have lost their relegation battle and are going down.
The club had hoped the league’s complex promotion/demotion formula may yet save them from the drop.
However, Rosslyn Park’s demotion to Division 3 South means automatic relegation for Maids, who will be playing their rugby in South West Division 2 (East) next season.
Coach Simon Edwards was devastated by the news, as he is due to quit his post in the summer and had hoped to save his side ahead of his departure.
He said: “We can make all the excuses in the world, but if we were good enough we wouldn’t be going down.
“It’s very disappointing to me to be leaving the job on a relegation note, but these things happen and life goes on.
“We know what we have to do now. We have to strengthen the squad.
“Changes have to be made and things have to be sorted out, but I’m sure we’ll bounce straight back up.”
Perhaps more painful for Maids is the certain knowledge that old foes Marlow will be replacing them in the higher division.
Edwards added: “I congratulate Marlow on going up. I hope they do well.
“And, for perhaps the first time in five years, we will be able to play them in a pre-season friendly.
“Before now they have always said we were too good for them, but they are the higher league team now.”
However, he did have regrets about the timing of the clubs’ relative moves, saying his players had been looking forward to a string of local derbies with Marlow and Reading in South West 1.
He said: “It’s particularly disappointing to go down this year.
“For years we’ve been playing teams from Cornwall and Devon and the one year we have some local opposition we get demoted.”
There is one potential upside to Maids’ demotion, as it gives them a chance to rebuild the squad and allows them to retain the services of their numerous veterans.
Props Rene Dance and Allan Greene, second-row stalwart Rob Wells and centre Andy Barron have all been rumoured to be considering hanging up their boots, but now look set to stay on for another season.
Edwards said: “We have to be positive. If you put some of our old heads in a lower league they are going to become very big players again.
“I can’t see any of them retiring now, which they might have done at the higher level.
“It’s important to keep them playing and to get some younger players in there alongside them.
“We have one of the best colts sides in the country and hopefully some of them will still be available in September.”
However, one of the biggest challenges now facing the club is to replace Edwards himself, as he moves on to coach the South and South West England under 19s.
There is some interest in the post from within the club, but the general consensus of opinion is that new blood must be recruited from outside.
Edwards added: “Anyone who’s interested in taking over the coaching can give me a ring on 01628 525555.”
There was some positive news for the club this week, as Edwards’ awesome under 19 Colts won the Berks, Bucks & Oxon League Cup.
And, on Sunday, May 28, they hope to do the double by lifting the Berkshire Cup.